Gibson Guitar has announced its sponsorship of the 2009 Nashville Film Festival (NaFF). Gibson will present a customized Gibson acoustic guitar to legendary actor William Shatner as part of The 2009 Nashville Film Festival President's Impact Award for his film Gonzo Ballet. Gibson will also host a private VIP reception at the Nashville Gibson Entertainment Relations Showroom on Friday, April 17. The festival, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, takes place April 16-23, 2009 at Regal Green Hills Cinema.

Shatner will receive a Gibson acoustic guitar, with custom artwork by Mandy Lawson, presented in the theater prior to the screening at 7 pm in front of the sold-out audience for the world premiere of Gonzo Ballet, a film chronicling the quest by the Milwaukee Ballet to create a new work based upon Shatner's critically acclaimed album, Has Been. The film, by directors Patrick Buckley and Kevin Layne, will screen on Friday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. with producer Ben Folds, Milwaukee Ballet choreographer and director Margo Sappington and country music star Brad Paisley scheduled to attend. Much celebration will follow during the invitation only private Reception which will be held at the Gibson Entertainment Relations Showroom in downtown Nashville.

On Saturday, April 18, the Nashville Film Festival will award the Impact of Music Award sponsored by Gibson Guitar for the feature film (narrative or documentary) that most effectively explores or celebrates the impact of music on the human experience. Recipients of this award will receive an Epiphone guitar. The winner will be selected by the jurors on Saturday, April 18, in the afternoon and will be presented with the award at the screening, if the filmmaker is present. Films in contention can be found on the website ttp://www.nashvillefilmfestival.org/2009Festival/2009OfficialSelection/tabid/401/Default.aspx